Integrating digital technology in personal protection equipment (PPE) including industrial protective footwear or safety footwear is a potential opportunity. For example, Germany based UVEX Group, a global industrial protective footwear manufacturer is in the process of integrating digital sensors and actuators in industrial protective footwear. Information relayed by the sensors and actuators can be analyzed and necessary actions can be taken by the safety footwear to avoid slipping or loss of control. In October 2017, the Group launched these smart PPE (Smart Insole - uvex 1 techware) at the A+A trade fair in Germany. Thus, integration of digital technologies in industrial protective footwear is expected to create good opportunity for market players.

Asia Pacific countries also offer opportunities for global industrial protective footwear manufacturers. Presently in Asia Pacific, per capita footwear consumption is low and per capita safety footwear consumption is even lower compared to developed countries. Per capita footwear consumption in the U.S., U.K., China, and India are 7.2, 6.8, 2.3, and 2.1 pairs respectively.

Asia Pacific has the largest population in the world. It also has the largest number of labor and contract workers in the world. The number of work related deaths are also highest in the region. According to ILO and Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute, Singapore, Asia Pacific has the largest (almost two-third) work related mortality in the world.All these factors are prompting governments in the region to implement laws related to the safety of their workers. In India, the Factories Act, 1948 protects the health and safety of workers.Rising awareness about occupational safety and increase in industrial safety regulations is increasing the demand for industrial protective footwear in the region. Asia Pacific offers significant opportunity for growth of the global industrial protective footwear market, thus increasing the demand for industrial protective footwear across the globe.

The study provides a conclusive view of the global industrial protective footwear market by segmenting it in terms of product type, density, material, gender, application, end-user, and distribution channel. In terms of product type, the market has been classified into shoes and boots. Based on density, the market has been segmented into single density and double density. In terms of material, the market is segmented into leather, rubber, plastic, and PU (polyurethane). Based on gender, the market has been segmented into male, female, and unisex. Based on application, the market has been segmented into construction, manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and transportation. In terms of end-user, the global industrial protective footwear market is segmented into residential and commercial. Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into online and offline.

Developed regions such as North America and Europe already have stringent health and safety regulations for safety of their workers.Safety footwear regulations in Europe must comply with the standard EN ISO 20345:2011. Toecap regulations of industrial protective footwear are SB, S1P, S3, and S5. Any industrial protective footwear that is classified as SB only has a protective toecap. Industrial protective footwear that is classified as S1P is anti-static and made with a protective toecap and midsole only. S3 styles are the most commonly specified standard for the industry. Any industrial protective footwear that is classified as S5 is polymer or rubber molded construction, making them water and leak proof.

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a global testing and certification organization, testing various products including personal protection equipment (PPE) which includes industrial protective footwear. CSA Group estimated that the average annual counterfeit market is worth US$ 500 billion of which share of footwear is 14.0%. CSA Group has alerted consumers about counterfeit industrial protective footwear brands such as Scorpion, Tiger, and TIG sold by Harron Trading Ltd, Markham, Ontario, Canada. These footwear bear the unauthorized CSA registered trademark and pose danger to users. Harron Trading Ltd in collaboration with CSA Group recalled 2,020 pairs of safety footwear of Scorpion safety footwear. Thus, rise in counterfeit industrial protective footwear across the globe is restraining the growth of the industrial protective footwear market.

Growing concerns pertaining to workplace safety and the implementation of stringent regulations mandating a high standard of occupational and worker safety across organizations are bolstering the global industrial protective footwear market. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the growth trajectory exhibited by the industrial protective footwear market in a global scenario. It includes an in-depth and iterative analysis of the factors influencing the demand and supply trends in the market.

For the purpose of the study, the global market for industrial protective footwear is segmented on the basis of region, type, and application. Based on type, the market has been classified into leather, waterproof, rubber, and plastic footwear. In terms of application, the market is categorized into manufacturing, construction, mining, chemicals, oil and gas, food, transportation, and pharmaceuticals.

Using a coherent chapter-wise format, the report compiles exhaustive information pertaining to the market and its growth metrics. Data comprised in these chapters is obtained from trusted industrial sources and filtered using industry-leading research tools. To present a holistic blueprint of the prevailing competitive landscape, a SWOT analysis is also conducted on the most prominent enterprises operating in the market.

Overview of Industrial Protective Footwear Market

The global industrial protective footwear market encompasses safety footwear designed to improve workplace safety in industries. The demand for protective footwear is primarily high in industries such as chemical, construction, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, transportation, food, mining, and manufacturing.

Rising at a CAGR of 6.0%, the global industrial protective footwear market is anticipated to reach US$9.4 bn by the end of 2020. In 2013, the market was worth US$6.3 bn. End users in this market majorly purchase boots depending on the needs specific to the industry they are working for.

Industrial protective boots usually have a safety symbol printed on them. These safety symbols are issued by government regulatory bodies and they indicate the protection level of the footwear. Additionally, these boots are produced in compliance with standards for safety shoes across various countries. For instance, in the U.S., industrial footwear production is carried out in accordance with the standards laid down by the American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear (ANSI).

The increase in the number of worker accidents has emerged as the key reason behind widespread adoption of industrial protective footwear. Presently, the market witnesses increasing demand from North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Among these regions, Europe dominated the global market for industrial protective footwear in 2013. North America emerged as the second largest market for industrial protective footwear the same year. The growth of the market in Europe is due to the presence of a large number of safety shoe manufacturers in countries such as the U.K, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain